Voltage Generation Apparatus with Current Blocking Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Voltage generation circuits that rely on multiple external voltages for generating an internal voltage often experience unnecessary power consumption due to through-currents, requiring multiple units for sensing internal voltage magnitude and leading to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A voltage generation apparatus that includes an external voltage sensing circuit to generate start signals based on multiple external voltages, a voltage pumping circuit to generate internal voltage, and a voltage regulating circuit, all sharing an internal voltage sensing circuit to minimize power loss and stabilize internal voltage generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple voltage generation units are used to generate internal voltage from multiple external voltages, then the internal voltage can be generated based on different external voltage sources, but through-currents flow among external voltages causing unnecessary power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
A current blocking unit is introduced as an intermediary component between multiple voltage generation units. This unit selectively blocks current paths to prevent through-currents from flowing between external voltage sources while still allowing each voltage generation unit to function independently. The current blocking unit acts as a mediator that maintains the versatility of multi-voltage operation without the harmful side effect of energy-wasting through-currents.
2Reliability
If multiple voltage generation units are used to generate internal voltage, then redundancy is provided for voltage generation, but at least two units are needed for sensing the magnitude of internal voltage resulting in increased device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
A single internal voltage sensing unit is designed to serve multiple voltage generation units simultaneously. The sensing unit can measure the internal voltage magnitude for any of the voltage generation units, eliminating the need for separate sensing units for each generator. This multi-functional approach maintains reliability through redundancy in voltage generation while reducing device complexity by consolidating the sensing function into a single shared component.
3Adaptability or versatility
If voltage generation circuits use multiple external voltages, then flexibility in power supply is improved, but leakage currents increase causing power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The current blocking unit serves as an intermediary that selectively opens or closes current paths between external voltage sources. It prevents leakage currents and through-currents from flowing unnecessarily between voltage sources while still allowing the circuit to benefit from multiple external voltage inputs. This mediator component enables flexible power supply configuration without the harmful side effect of power-loss-inducing leakage currents.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage generation apparatus may include an external voltage sensing circuit configured to generate a first start signal and a second start signal by sensing the magnitude of a first external voltage and the magnitude of a second external voltage. The voltage generation apparatus may include an internal voltage sensing circuit configured to generate a voltage generation signal by comparing an internal voltage with a target voltage. The voltage generation apparatus may include a voltage pumping circuit configured to be activated in response to the first start signal, configured to perform a pumping operation based on the voltage generation signal, and configured to generate the internal voltage. The voltage generation apparatus may include a voltage regulating circuit configured to be activated in response to the first and second start signals, and configured to generate the internal voltage based on the voltage generation signal.